Security Council Distr.: General 19 August 2015

United Nations S/2015/618

Original: English

Letter dated 11 August 2015 from the Secretary-General addressed to the President of the Security Council

I have the honour to transmit herewith a note verbale dated 30 July 2015 from the Permanent Mission of France to the United Nations and a report on the activities of Operation Sangaris in the Central African Republic, for transmittal to the Security Council in accordance with resolution 2217 (2015) (see annex).

(Signed) BAN Ki-moon

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Annex to the letter dated 11 August 2015 from the Secretary- General addressed to the President of the Security Council

[Original: French] The Permanent Mission of France to the United Nations presents its compliments to the Office of the Secretary-General and has the honour to transmit herewith, pursuant to paragraph 50 of Security Council resolution 2217 (2015), a report on the actions undertaken between 15 March and 15 July 2015 by French forces in support of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (see enclosure). The Permanent Mission of France would be grateful if the report would be brought to the attention of the members of the Security Council.

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Enclosure

Support provided by Operation Sangaris to the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic

Reporting period: 15 March to 15 July 2015

Basis of support for the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic

By its resolution 2217 (2015), the Security Council extended the mandate of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) by one year and authorized the French forces, within the limits of their capacities and areas of deployment, to use all necessary means to provide operational support to elements of MINUSCA. At the national level, the operational plan dated 16 January 2015 of the General Staff of the French forces called for the Sangaris force to enable MINUSCA to take the lead, within the limits of its capacities and areas of deployment, by supporting the strengthening of the Mission and gradually transferring to it full responsibility for its areas of deployment, while retaining a reserve operational capacity for its benefit.

Context of support actions during the reporting period

From 15 March to 15 July 2015, joint actions by the Sangaris force and MINUSCA and Sangaris actions in support of MINUSCA were carried out collaboratively, with increasing levels of coordination and engagement. As the Sangaris force decreased in size, MINUSCA continued to grow in terms of the following: – Troops: increase from 8,400 in March to 10,648 in July – Area of action: deployment in Sector East – Operational capacity: increased ability of units to prepare and carry out operations autonomously MINUSCA reached its full operational strength on 28 April 2015.

Changes in the size of the Sangaris force

The size of the Sangaris force, which had been reduced to 1,900 troops in November 2014, was further reduced in March 2015, to 1,674 troops and two combined-arms tactical groups, and again in June 2015, to 900 troops and one combined-arms tactical group.

Changes in the area covered by the Sangaris force

The Sangaris force adjusted its area of action to take that drawdown into account, while ensuring operational continuity. It gradually withdrew from Dékoa, Bria, Ndélé and Kaga Bandoro. The eastern limit of its area of action is now Bambari. However, it continued its dynamic and deep operations in the central corridor, in conjunction with MINUSCA. Several route reconnaissance and area-

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control operations were carried out in support of MINUSCA (Operations Persée and Dragon 1, 2 and 3) as part of long sequences of action lasting up to a month. Generally speaking, MINUSCA is involved in all of the force’s operations.

Changes in the area covered by the Mission

By the end of March 2015, MINUSCA had carried out the following activities: – The initiation of phase III of its general concept of operations, involving stabilization and the facilitation of the electoral process – The continuation of its deployment into the eastern part of the country (Ndélé, then Birao and Yalinga) and towards the south-east, along the northern bank of the Oubangui River (Bangassou, Rafaï Zemio and Obo). It is establishing company operating bases in locations in which it has garrisons After taking over the Sangaris missions in the west of the country, MINUSCA moved into the central corridor and actively conducted operations in that area, in close coordination with the Sangaris force. It planned and managed its deployment in the east of the country entirely independently.

Principles of joint operations between the Mission and the Sangaris force

• The operational actions of France are guided by respect for human rights and international conventions: – With regard to prevention, the force, in conjunction with MINUSCA, has adopted a deterrent posture based on local-level joint patrols – When reacting to acts of violence, the Sangaris force and MINUSCA adopt a firm posture and intervene as swiftly as possible in order to bring the violence to an end. The force has not had to intervene in such situations since the end of March 2015 • In the context of confidence-building measures, the Sangaris force has been supporting MINUSCA by implementing and overseeing measures for the disarmament and barracking of armed groups in its areas of deployment.

Details of the support provided by the Sangaris force to the Mission

• In accordance with the technical agreement of 3 October 2014, the Sangaris force provides operational and logistical support to MINUSCA. A detailed list of those actions is provided in the tables below. • In terms of organization, French officers, including the Chief of General Staff of MINUSCA, have been integrated on an ongoing basis into the general staff of MINUSCA. While those officers have no obligations in relation to Sangaris, they facilitate mutual understanding of the intentions of the two international forces. • A Sangaris liaison detachment comprising 21 officers, non-commissioned officers and troops has been incorporated into major MINUSCA structures. They have been assigned as follows: – Three officers to MINUSCA force headquarters

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– Two officers to the MINUSCA Joint Task Force police command – One officer to the Office of the Director of Mission Support – A team of five troops to each of the provincial-level sector headquarters, in Bouar, Bria and Kaga Bandoro. The three teams, which were assigned at the end of March 2015, proved highly efficient not only in providing high-quality liaison services on a daily basis, but also, and especially, in joint operations in which they have accompanied MINUSCA units • The French and MINUSCA force commanders interact regularly in a unified manner with the transitional authorities and the main stakeholders in order to coordinate their joint actions. The generals commanding the two forces meet each week. • As regards coordination and mutual support, the General Staff of the Sangaris and MINUSCA forces meet on a weekly basis to plan the military operations of the two forces and to define joint operations. • During the reporting period, the Sangaris force and MINUSCA carried out joint patrols in the areas in which French forces were deployed. Approximately 50 joint operations were carried out through patrols or at stationary posts to secure or control areas or sensitive sites in Bangui, Bambari, Kaga Bandoro, Sibut and Damara. • The following four major joint operations were also carried out: – Dragon 1, 26 April-1 May: reconnaissance support along the road from Sibut to Kaga Bandoro and Mbrès – Dragon 2, 12-20 May: reconnaissance support along the road between Kaga Bandoro and Mbrès – Persée, 13-29 May: area-control support along main supply road 2 between Bangui and Damara – Dragon 3, 11 June-4 July: reconnaissance support along the road from Kaga Bandoro to Batangafo and Kabo and the road between Kaga Bandoro and Mbrès • The Sangaris force provides logistical support in the form of level 1 and level 2 maintenance operations on French vehicles that have been lent to African MINUSCA contingents. On four occasions, the force refuelled MINUSCA aircraft, at Ndélé, Bambari and Bria. • In terms of medical support, the Sangaris force conducted one surgical operation and provided paramedical assistance in 113 cases for MINUSCA during the past four months. • Operations carried out jointly by Sangaris and MINUSCA have thus contributed significantly to the overall improvement of the security situation in the cities controlled by the two forces: Bangui, Sibut and Bambari. However, the most significant cases are those in which the Sangaris force has withdrawn following the transfer of authority in Dékoa, Bria, Ndélé and Kaga Bandoro.

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• The continuous joint operations by the two forces have also facilitated a return to economic activity in the areas in which they are deployed, not only in Bangui and the central corridor, but also in Bambari, whose central market, which was completely deserted until the spring, has reopened. • On balance, the operations of the Sangaris force have undeniably contributed to the increasing strength of MINUSCA, which has now taken up its role as the lead security force throughout the country.

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- 15074 Ad hoc joint operations of Operation Sangaris and the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic, 15 March-15 July 2015

Date Type of operation Mission MINUSCA/Sangaris resources

TURCO combined arms battle group 16-19 March Mission support Securing of the Bambari market MINUSCA elements + 1 Sangaris section 20-26 March Mission support Securing of the Bambari market MINUSCA elements + 1 Sangaris section 27 March-2 April Mission support Securing of the Bambari market MINUSCA elements + 1 Sangaris section 3-9 April Mission support Securing of the Bambari market MINUSCA elements + Sangaris patrols 10-16 April Mission support Mission support MINUSCA elements + Sangaris patrols 17-23 April Mission support Mission support MINUSCA elements + Sangaris patrols 24 April-1 May Mission support Mission support MINUSCA elements + Sangaris patrols 1-7 May Mission support Mission support MINUSCA elements + Sangaris patrols 8-15 May Mission support Mission support MINUSCA elements + Sangaris patrols 14-21 May Operation Dragon 2: Kaga Bandoro/ Mission support 1 MINUSCA section (Pakistani battalion) + Mbrès; Area control mission 1 tactical headquarters + 3 Sangaris sections 17 May Operation Vosges 17 Mission support 2 MINUSCA sections from the Democratic Republic of the Congo + 2 Sangaris sections 5 June Operation Vosges 21 Mission support 2 MINUSCA sections from the Democratic Republic of the Congo + 2 Sangaris sections VERCORS combined-arms battle group 26 February Area control operations Reconnaissance patrol in Kaga Bandoro 3 Mountain Commando Group P4 all-terrain vehicles + 2 MINUSCA pick-up trucks (Pakistani battalion) 27 February Securing operation Protecting the site of the meeting with 2 light armoured vehicles (forward assets COMANFOR at the C-Sector Headquarters at dedicated to regiment commanding officer) + Kaga Bandoro 2 MINUSCA pick-up trucks (Pakistani battalion) 28 February Area control operations Escort of peacekeeper convoy to the eastern 3 Mountain Commando Group P4 all-terrain Kaga Bandoro barrier vehicles + 2 MINUSCA pick-up trucks (Pakistani battalion) 5 March Securing operation Protection of meeting places during public 2 light armoured vehicles (forward assets consultations held at Kaga Bandoro dedicated to regiment commanding officer) + VERCORS quick reaction force (1 section) + 3 M113 armoured personnel carriers + S/2015/618 2 Pakistani battalion sections

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9 March Securing operation Reconnaissance of the Kaga Bandoro 3 Mountain Commando Group P4 all-terrain administrative zone vehicles + 2 MINUSCA pick-up trucks (Pakistani battalion) 23 March Securing operation Protection during the Force Commander’s 2 light armoured vehicles (forward assets visit to Kaga Bandoro: fixed and mobile dedicated to regiment commanding officer) + positions 3 Mountain Commando Group P4 all-terrain vehicles + 3 MINUSCA pick-up trucks (Pakistani battalion) 18 May Area control operations Joint patrol in Damara 1 armoured infantry combat vehicle section + 2 MINUSCA pick-up trucks (Burundian battalion) 19 May Area control operations Joint patrol in Damara 2 armoured infantry combat vehicle sections + 2 MINUSCA pick-up trucks (Burundian battalion) 20 May Area control operations Control of villages of Bossele, Ombella Boro Jaune combined arms subbattle group/3 pick- and Ubi, along main supply route 2 up trucks (Burundian battalion) 27 March-3 April Area control operations Defending Court of Appeal 1 section from the Democratic Republic of the Congo + 1 Cameroonian section + 1 Sangaris section

3-10 April Area control operations Defending Court of Appeal 1 section from the Democratic Republic of the Congo + 1 Cameroonian section + 1 Sangaris section 10-17 April Area control operations Defending Court of Appeal 1 section from the Democratic Republic of the Congo + 1 Cameroonian section + 1 Sangaris section 17-24 April Area control operations Defending Court of Appeal 1 section from the Democratic Republic of the Congo + 1 Cameroonian section + 1 Sangaris section 24 April-1 May Area control operations Defending Court of Appeal 1 section from the Democratic Republic of the Congo + 1 Cameroonian section + 1 Sangaris section 1-8 May Area control operations Defending Court of Appeal 1 section from the Democratic Republic of the Congo + 1 Cameroonian section + 1 Sangaris section 8-15 May Area control operations Defending Court of Appeal 1 section from the Democratic Republic of the Congo + 1 Cameroonian section + 1 Sangaris section

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- 15074 Date Type of operation Mission MINUSCA/Sangaris resources

11 June-7 July Area control operations Support for MINUSCA to control the Kaga 1 company each from Cambodia, Gabon and Bandoro/Ouandago/Kabo zone and area Pakistan, Centurion subgroup with 2 infantry control in the Doukouma region (south-east of sections, 1 anti-tank platoon, commando Kaga Bandoro, towards Mbrès) parachute group, canine battalion, engineer group and utility helicopters, for a total of 160 troops and 60 armoured and wheeled vehicles

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Joint patrols by Operation Sangaris and the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic, 15 March-15 July 2015

Date Type of patrol Sangaris unit Location

TURCO combined-arms battle group 3 May Foot patrol 1 MINUSCA group + 1 Sangaris section Bambari 4 May Foot patrol 1 MINUSCA group + 1 Sangaris section Bambari 6 May Foot patrol 1 MINUSCA group + 1 Sangaris section Bambari 7 May Foot patrol 1 MINUSCA group + 1 Sangaris section Bambari 8 May Foot patrol 1 MINUSCA group + 1 Sangaris section Bambari 9 May Foot patrol 1 MINUSCA group + 1 Sangaris section Bambari 10 May Foot patrol 1 MINUSCA group + 1 Sangaris section Bambari 11 May Foot patrol 1 MINUSCA group + 1 Sangaris section Bambari 12 May Foot patrol 1 MINUSCA group + 1 Sangaris section Bambari 14 May Foot patrol 1 MINUSCA group + 1 Sangaris section Bambari 15 May Foot patrol 1 MINUSCA group + 1 Sangaris section Bambari 15 May Foot patrol 1 MINUSCA group + 1 Sangaris section Bambari 16 May Foot patrol 1 MINUSCA group + 1 Sangaris section Bambari 17 May Foot patrol 1 MINUSCA group + 1 Sangaris section + 1 gendarme Bambari 18 May Foot patrol 1 MINUSCA group + 1 Sangaris section + 1 gendarme Bambari 19 May Foot patrol 1 MINUSCA group + 1 Sangaris section + 1 gendarme Bambari 20 May Foot patrol 1 MINUSCA group + 1 Sangaris section + 1 gendarme Bambari 25 May Foot patrol 1 MINUSCA group + 1 Sangaris section + 1 gendarme Sibut 27 May Foot patrol 1 MINUSCA group + 1 Sangaris section + 1 gendarme Bambari 28 May Foot patrol 1 MINUSCA group + 1 Sangaris section + 1 gendarme Sibut 29 May Foot patrol 1 MINUSCA group + 1 Sangaris section + 1 gendarme Bambari 1 June Foot patrol 1 MINUSCA group + 1 Sangaris section + 1 gendarme Sibut 3 June Foot patrol 1 MINUSCA group + 1 Sangaris section + 1 gendarme Bambari 3 June Foot patrol 1 MINUSCA group + 1 Sangaris section + 1 gendarme Sibut 4 June Foot patrol 1 MINUSCA group + 1 Sangaris section + 1 gendarme Bambari

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Health support provided by the Sangaris force to the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic, 15 March-15 July 2015

Date Type of support Number Location

15 March-15 July Emergency consultation 0 Mpoko Surgical consultation 3 Hospitalization 7 Paramedical assistance 84 Surgery 1 X-rays 14 Ultrasounds 0 Laboratory tests 1 15-18 May Egyptian soldiers treated at role 1 facility after vehicular accident 3 Ndélé

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Logistical support provided by the Sangaris force to the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic, 15 March-15 July 2015

Date Type of support Location Sangaris resources

15 March-15 July Maintenance level 1 and 2 support; Bangui Mechanical (vehicles and tanks) and refuelling of MINUSCA aircraft technical workshops by the field maintenance subgroup, forward arming and refuelling point 19 March Ndélé 21 March Refuelling of MINUSCA aircraft Ndélé Forward arming and refuelling point

3 May Refuelling of MINUSCA aircraft Bambari Forward arming and refuelling point

13 May Refuelling of MINUSCA aircraft Bria Forward arming and refuelling point

Difficulties encountered with the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic, 15 March-15 July 2015

Developments/follow-up by MINUSCA/ Date Type of problem Location Sangaris force

15 March-15 July For the entire Sangaris force: Nothing to report Nothing to report nothing to report

Abbreviation: MINUSCA, United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic.

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